Seal.



No. 799,614. PATENTED SEPT. 12. 1905. G. G. MQGORMIGK.

SEAL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 19. 1904.

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' SEAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1905.

Application filed October 19, 1904. "Serial No. 229,174.

To all w/wm, it ma concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. McCon- MICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brownstown, in the .county of Fayette and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention appertainsto the type ofseals for preventing the opening of car-doors, packages in which goods are shipped, mail-bags, and receptacles generally without rendering detection almost certain by the destruction or mutilation of the seal.

The invention provides a device of the character and for the purpose aforesaid involving a novel, simple, and compact structure, and which may be readily manipulated and is effective and reliable in action.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a detail view in perspective of the component parts of the seal separated and disposed in a group. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the seal, showing the end portion of the sealing-strip loose. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the loose end of the sealing-strip fastened. Fig. 4; is a top plan view of the seal.

Corresponding and like parts are referre to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters:

The seal comprises, essentially, a box and a sealing-strip. The box is composed of a case 1 and a cap-plate 2 and receives a spring 3 of approximately circular form and having its end portions inturned, as shown at 4, to pro vide jaws. The casel is preferably of circular form and comprises a bottom 5 and rim 6. An opening 7 is formed in a side of the case to admit of introducing the loose end of the sealing-strip 8.. The spring 3 is arranged within the case so that the jaws 4: come upon opposite sides of the opening 7 and automatically engage with shoulders 9 at opposite edges of the sealing-strip a short distance from its extremity. The casein the preferred construction is struck up from sheet metal.

The spring 3 consists of a strip of spring metal bent into circular form and having its end portions extended inward and oppositely they mutually brace each other and provide a flaring entrance for the guidance of the sealing-strip when introduced into the box. The spring may be retained in the box by frictional engagement or in any manner which will insure proper position of the jaws with reference-to the opening 7 The cap-plate 2 is of a size to completely close the open side of the case and is secured to the latter in any substantial manner, preferably by crimping an edge portion of the rim 6, as indicated at 10. The sealingstrip 8 is an integral part of the capplate, thereby obviating the necessity of providing a joint between the strip and box and materially simplifying the construction, as well as minimizing the cost of manufacture. The sealing-strip may be of any length, depending upon the particular use of the seal, and its end portion is tapered to facilitate its entrance into the opening 7 and passage between the jaws 4c. The shoulders 9 near the loose end of the sealing-strip are located a distance from the extremity of the strip, so that when said end. 'reaches the limit of its movement when inserted into the box the shoulders 9 will clear the ends of the jaws 4 and permit the latter to spring toward each other and engage the shoulders 9 and prevent withdrawal of the strip, thereby completing the lock.

Any desired matter may be impressed upon the sides of the box or the sealingstrip for purpose of identification or to serve as a label or trade-mark.

After the seal has been secured it may not be opened except by cutting the sealing-strip or mutilating the parts to such an extent as to insure detection and give warning that the package, car, or receptacle containing the goods has been tampered with.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is A seal comprising a box consisting of a case and cap-plate, the case comprising a bottom end of the sealing-strip, substantially as set I forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES C. MCCORMICK.

Witnesses:

HENRY M. STINE, CHARLES E. STINE. 

